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Sea cadets looking for new members

Taryn Daly, left, Sreya Liju and Maria Jacinto listen as Lt. (N) Brad Brooker addresses the Sarnia Sea Cadet corps. The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps "Repulse" held an open house on March 6 to attract new members.
Tyler Kula/Postmedia Network

The gym-like space in the bottom of Sarnia’s federal building is decorated with naval flags.

Uniformed youngsters fall in line as they parade to instructions from the executive officer.

Some carry musical instruments, others sabres and rifles.

A small group of adults and children look on.

It’s the third time since November the Sarnia Sea Cadet Corps have held open houses to boost their ranks.

The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps “Repulse” – named for a British war ship – are down to between 30 and 40 cadets from about 100 just a couple of years ago, said Lina Dizon-Mapoula.

Many hit age 18 around the same time and moved on from the 12-18 corps, said the 16-year-old chief petty officer, second class.

The Grade 11 St. Patrick’s school student has been in Repulse five years and banged the drop for the corps on March 6, talking about the skills and opportunities she’s gained.

Last year, she said, she spent a week sailing off the shores of Vancouver in a tall ship, and has plied her sailing skills at the Canadian Olympic-training Regatta in Kingston.

Meanwhile, the corps teaches leadership and citizenship skills, she said.

“It kind of trains us to be good people in society and responsible adults as we move on.”

Her fellow chief petty officer, second class, Jacob Johnston, a 16-year-old Northern Collegiate student, also spent time aboard tall ships last year – in waters abutting British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

He’s one of just three cadets from across Canada selected to go on a three-week exchange to Australia this April, with the cost covered by the Department of National Defence and the Navy League of Canada, he said.

His application succeeded based on his knowledge, skills, dress and decorum, and attendance, he said.

“I do believe you get out of the program what you put into the program,” he said, also highlighting a simulator the corps has had since 2011.

It’s used to drill everything from ship recognition and helm orders to ship handling skills.